New laws empowering the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to violent incidents in the States and Territories have been passed by the Federal Government.
The legislation will allow the ADF to support State and Territory police in responding to incidents of significant violence, including terrorism.
It amends ADF call-out provisions and means the ADF may be pre-authorised to respond to land, sea and air threats, expanding its powers to search, seize, and control movement at the scene of a violent incident.
The new laws also strengthen the ADF’s ability to respond to incidents occurring in more than one jurisdiction.
Announcing the reforms, Attorney-General, Christian Porter said they did not change the role of police as first responders.
“The new laws will make it easier for the ADF to assist State and Territory police in responding to terrorist attacks,” Mr Porter said.
“This legislation provides the ADF with simpler and clearer powers to effectively bring specialist capabilities to bear, if and when they are required, to save lives.”
Minister for Defence, Christopher Pyne said experience abroad showed terrorist threats could be highly mobile and could occur in multiple locations simultaneously.
“The new provisions ensure the ADF can quickly and effectively respond to threats that travel across State borders without the need to duplicate processes to obtain additional approvals, which could delay the response,” Mr Pyne said.
“This suite of reforms will ensure Defence is more flexible and agile in supporting State and Territory first responders before, during, and in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist incident,” he said.
